Fluid shift



1968 A. SCHONFELD ETAL 3,3

FLUID SHIFT Filed Oct. 18, 1965 T0 UTILIZAIION DEVICE BIII BII2 BITJ II I II FLUID OR GATE 160 K 9 16 A 17C I 16b 17b FLUID FLUID FLUID FLUID OR OR OR OR A GATE 8 GATE 0 GATE D GATE 12 FLUID OWER SOURCE YIN YKZ. YKS \(K4 (K5 YK6 INVENTORS ARNOLD SCHONFELD MARVIN JACOBY- m AGENT United States Patent 3,370,790 FLUID SHIFT Arnold Schonfeld, Levittown, and Marvin .lacoby, Fort Washington, Pa., assignors to Sperry Rand Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed Oct. 18, 1965, Ser. No. 497,238 9 Claims. (Cl. 235-201) This invention relates to a fluid keyboard and more particularly to a fluid keyboard having a binary output wherein at least one of the bit positions of the binary output may be inverted.

The fluid amplifier art has advanced to such a state that data processing systems entirely Comprised of fluid amplifier components are now a reality. For example, see Patent No. 3,190,554 entitled Pure Fluid Computer issued to A. J. Gehring, Jr. et al. on June 22, 1965.

This development, of course, necessitated the development of so-called peripheral equipment for use with these data processing and control systems. One such development has been fluid keyboards operable upon actuation to translate decimal type inputs into binary coded combinations of fluid output signals compatible for use as input data with these digital fluid systems.

The present invention is concerned with such a fluid keyboard. More precisely the present invention relates to fluid circuits for use with a fluid keyboard wherein the binary output at one or more of the bit positions of the keyboard may be inverted whether or not that output happens to be a binary 1 or a binary 0.

The fluid keyboard which forms part of the combination of this invention may be of a conventional type or it may be similar to that disclosed in application S.N. 377,933, filed on June 25, 1964 for Keyboard Encoder by Arnold Schonfeld et al., now US. Patent 3,248,052.

The output of a fluid keyboard comprises two or more output channels. Each output channel corresponds to a bit or digit position. A binary 1 exists when there is a fluid signal in an output channel. A binary 0 exists when there is no fluid signal in the output channel.

The present invention has the purpose of providing a fluid shift operation which shifts the binary 1 or 0 to the binary 0 or 1 state in a given output channel of the fluid keyboard. The present invention contemplates the use of fluid inverters of conventional type in one or more of the output channels of the fluid keyboard. Actuation of these fluid inverters causes a change, i.e., a shift in the output condition of said one or more of the output channels. The change or shift consists of an inversion of any fluid signal appearing in the selected output channel of the fluid keyboard e.g., a change from a positive pres sure signal to a zero pressure signal or vice-versa.

The figure illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Referring now to the figure, there is shown in block diagram and schematic form a fluid keyboard in combination with a fluid shift. The fluid keyboard comprises keys K through K The input. channels of each of the keys K through K are connected in common to fluid power source 12. The keys K through K are shown in their open state. The keys themselves may be of the push button variety such that when each is depressed the fluid power source is connected to the output channel of the depressed key. Thus, when the key K is depressed, the fluid power source 12 is connected to the fluid OR gates C and D as indicated.

The fluid OR gates A, B and C, as well as fluid OR gates D and E, may be of any conventional type which functions to provide a fluid output when a fluid input is present at any one of itsassociated input channels.

The output channels of keys K, through. K are connected'to the fluid OR'gates A, B, C and D as indicated 3,370,790 Patented Feb. 27, 1968 "Ice in the drawing and as more fully described hereinafter.

The fluid OR gate A is connected to the output channels of keys K K K K and thus the fluid OR gate A receives an input when any one of thekeys K K K or K; is depressed. The fluid OR gate B is connected to the output channels of keys K K K and K The fluid OR .gate B therefore receives an input when any of the keys K K K or K, is depressed. In a similar fashion the fluid OR gate D is connected to the output channels of keys K K K and K and fluid OR gate D receives an input when any one of the keys K K K or K, is depressed.

Output channels 13, 19, and 18 are connected to fluid OR gates A, B and C, respectively. Output channel 14 is connected to OR gate E and is normally a part of channel 19. When any one of the input channels of the fluid OR gates A, B or C has an input, its respective output channel 13, 19 or 18 has a fluid output signal. The output channels 13, 14 and 15 may be connected to an indicator for indicating in binary form the decimal input, alternatively the channels 13, 14 and 15 may be connected to some other utilization device, for example, a data processing or control system.

, The foregoing description relates to a fluid keyboard for translating or encoding a decimal type input into a binary type output. The keys K through K respectively, represent the numbers 1 through 7. For example, when the key K is depressed (representing the decimal input number one), the fluid power source is connected to the OR gate D providing the output channel 15 with a fluid signal. This represents the binary number 001. When the key K is depressed (representing the decimal input number seven), each of the OR gates A, B and D are connected to the fluid power source 12 thereby providing the output channels 13 and 14 and 15 each with a fluid signal. This represents the binary number 111. Depression of each of the other keys K through K likewise result in the'binar outputs 010, 011, 100, 101, 110, respectively.

Many times it is desirable that a fluid keyboard of the type just described have means for performing a shift type function. Thus, it is desirable that one or more of the output channels of a fluid keyboard be provided with means for inverting a binary 1 to a binary "0 or vice- Versa. A keyboard having a plurality of output channels may be provided with shift means associated with one of those output channels to indicate in one of the bit positions of a word a change from lower to higher case or vice-verse. To this end the fluid keyboard is provided with structure for performing the shift function.

Normally any fluid signal present in the output channel 19 passes through the fluid OR gate E and output channel 14 on its way to a utilization or indicating device. However, means are provided to remove the fluid signal from the output channel 14, that is, change the signal from a binary 1 to a binary 0. Likewise when theoutput channel 14 normally is a binary 0, that is, it does not have a fluid signal output, means are provided to provide it with a fluid signal thereby changing the binary 0 to a binary 1. V

In order to accomplish this shifting function there is provided a fluid inverter circuit 16 and a fluid inverter circuit 17. The input channel 161) and the output channel 16a of the fluid inverter circuit 16 form part of the output channel 19 of the fluid OR gate B, that is, a fluid signal in the output channel 19 is normally directed through the fluid OR gate E to output channel 14. The output channel is connected to atmosphere. The fluid OR gate C is connected through its output channel 18 to the input channel 17b of the fluid inverter 17. Normally any output signal present in the output channel 18 passes through the input channel 17b and the output channel 17a of the fluid inverter to atmosphere. The output channel 17c of the fluid inverter 17 is connected as an input to the fluid OR gate E. A signal in the output channel 17c appears at the output channel 14. The fluid OR gate C is connected to the keys K K and K and provides an output in its output channel 18 whenever any one of the keys K K, or K is depressed. A normally opened key K connects the fluid power source 12 to the co'ntrol channels 16d and 17d of the fluid inverter circuits16 and 17, respectively, when it is closed. Since the key K provides a control fluid which has a lesser power requirement than the power source, it is normally connected to the fluid power source 12 through a fluid resistor (not shown).

Whenever any one of the keys K K K or K are depressed, the output channel 19 of the OR circuit B has a fluid signal indicative-of the binary 1 condition. For this condition, there is a binary 1 in the bit or digit position number 2 of the fluid encoder at output channel 14. Thus, when the key K is depressed and the control channel 16d is provided with a control signal, the fluid within the output channel 19 is diverted to atmosphere through the output channel 160 of the fluid inverter 16 thereby converting the binary 1" output of the output channel 14 to a binary 0.

It should be noted that whenever the output channel 19 of the fluid OR gate B does not have a fluid signal and either the output channel 13 or the output channel 15 or both do have a signal, the output channel 18 of the fluid OR gate C has a fluid signal by virtue of its connection to all of the keys to which the fluid OR gate B is not connected. Thus, when the output channel 14 has no signal, such is indicative of the binary 0 in bit or digit position number 2. Depression of the K changes this binary O to a binary l in bit or digit position number 2. This is so because depression of the key K provides a control signal to the control channel 17d of the fluid output inverter circuit 17. Since at the same time the output channel 18 of the fluid OR gate C has a fluid signal, this signal is diverted to the output channel 170 of the fluid inverter circuit 17 and thence through the fluid OR gate E to the output portion of the output channel 14.

. Thus, when the fluid keyboard is activated by depression of any one of the keys K through K the binary output at the output portion of the output channel 14 may be inverted whether or not it represents a binary 1 or a binary 0." This inversion occurs by the depression of the key K which simultaneously supplies a control fluid to the control channels 16d and 17d activating the particular inverter 16 or 17 which has a fluid input signal from power source 12.

The fluid keyboard in the figure was shown having only 3 bit or digit positions to simplify the explanation and understanding of the present invention. It should be noted, however, that the fluid keyboard of the present invention may comprise 6 or more digit positions merely by the straightforward addition of more fluid circuitry and making the proper connections thereto. Furthermore, more than one of these bit or digit positions may be provided with a shift function according to the present invention.

Also OR gate B may have a direct input which does not get inverted. In other words when no shift is desired the effect of the inverter circuits may be overcome by directly connecting the output keys K K K and K; to OR gate E.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. In a, fluid keyboard for converting a decimal input into a binary output, a plurality of output channels, each of said output channels corresponding to a digit position, a plurality of fluid switches, each of said fluid switches operable upon actuation to connect a source of fluid to a selected one of the possible combinations of said output channels, means connected to one of said output channels and operable upon actuation for disconnecting said fluid source from said one output channel when said one output channel is a member of a combination connected to said fluid source or for connecting said fluid source to said one output channel when said one output channel is not a member of a combination connected to said fluid source.

2. In a translating system for converting a decimal input into a binary output, a plurality of output channels, a source of fluid, a plurality of switches, each of said switches operable upon actuation to connect said fluid source to one of the possible combinations of said output channels, first means connected between a selected one of said output channels and said switches normally capable of connecting said source to said one of said output channels and operable upon actuation to divert fluid flow from said one of said output channels, second means connected between said one of said output channels and said switches normally incapable of connecting said source to said one of said output channels and operable upon actuation to connect said source to said one of said output channels, control means connected to said first and second means for simultaneously providing a control signal to both.

3. In a translating device according to claim 2 wherein said first means comprises a fluid inverter having an input channel, a control channel and first and second output channels, said input channel and said first output channel forming part of said selected one of said output channels and said second output channel being connected to atmospherc.

4. In a translating device according to claim 2 wherein said second means comprises a fluid inverter having an input channel, a control channel, and first and second output channels, said input channel connected to the ones of said switches normally not connected to said one of said output channels and forming with said first output channel a direct line to atmosphere, said second output channel being connected to said one of said output channels.

5. In a translating device according to claim 3 wherein said second means comprises a fluid inverter having an input channel, a control channel, and first and second output channels, said input channel connected to the ones of said switches normally not connected to said one of said output channels and forming with said first output channel a direct line to atmosphere, said second output channel being connected to said one of said output channels.

6. In a translating system for converting a decimal input into a binary output, a plurality of output channels, a plurality of switches, a source of fluid, each switch normally connected between said fluid source and one or more of said output channels so that actuation of any one of said switches connects said fluid source to a selected one of the possible binary combinations of said output channels, first means connected to a selected one of said output channels operable upon actuation to divert to atmosphere a fluid stream appearing therein, second means connected between said selected one of said output channels and all of said switches normally not connected to said selected one of said output channels operable upon actuation to connect said source of fluid to said selected one of said output channels, means for providing simultaneously an actuating signal to said first and second means.

7. In a translating device according to claim 6 wherein said second means comprises a fluid inverter having an input channel, a control channel, and first and second out put channels, said input channel connected to the ones of said switches normally not connected to said one of said output, channels and forming with said first output channel a direct line to atmosphere, said second output channel being connected to said one of said output channels.

8. In a translating device according to claim 6 wherein said first means comprises a fluid inverter having an input channel, a control channel and first and second output channels, said input channel and said first output channel forming part of said one of said output channels, said second output channel being connected to atmosphere.

9. In a translating device according to claim 8 wherein said second means comprises a fluid inverter having an input channel, a control chanel, and first and second output channels, said input channel connected to the ones of said switches normally not connected to said one of said output channels and forming with said first output channel a direct line to atmosphere, said second output channel being connected to said one of said output channels.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,199,782 8/1965 Shinn.

6 OTHER REFERENCES General Electric Co., Fluid Amplifier State of the Art, vol. 1, Contract NAS 85408, Dec. 3, 1963.

Lernmon et al., Development of Two Pure Fluid 5 Timers, Proceedings ofthe Fluid Amplification Symposium, vol. 11, May 1964.

Kornpass, Practical Control Systems Components, Control Engineering, vol. 11, No. 9, September 1964.

10 RICHARD B. WILKINSON, Primary Examiner.

W. F. BAUER, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN A FLUID KEYBOARD FOR CONVERTING A DECIMAL INPUT INTO A BINARY OUTPUT, A PLURALITY OF OUTPUT CHANNELS, EACH OF SAID OUTPUT CHANNELS CORRESPONDING TO A DIGIT POSITION, A PLURALITY OF FLUID SWITCHES, EACH OF SAID FLUID SWITCHES OPERABLE UPON ACTUATION TO CONNECT A SOURCE OF FLUID TO A SELECTED ONE OF THE POSSIBLE COMBINATIONS OF SAID OUTPUT CHANNELS, MEANS CONNECTED TO ONE OF SAID OUTPUT CHANNELS AND OPERABLE UPON ACTUATION FOR DISCONNECTING SAID FLUID SOURCE FROM SAID ONE OUTPUT CHANNEL WHEN SAID ONE OUTPUT CHANNEL IS A MEMBER OR FOR COMBINATION CONNECTED TO SAID FLUID SOURCE OR FOR CONNECTING SAID FLUID SOURCE TO SAID ONE OUTPUT CHANNEL WHEN SAID ONE OUTPUT CHANNEL IS NOT A MEMBER OF A COMBINATION CONNECTED TO SAID FLUID SOURCE. 